Samohi student targeted in shooting

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — Santa Monica police are searching for a pair of suspects responsible for a shooting Tuesday afternoon in which a Santa Monica High School Student was wounded.

SMPD spokesman Sgt. Richard Lewis said that details are scarce, but did confirm that a 16-year-old male student at Samohi was shot in the chest around 3:30 p.m. just blocks from the school. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was in stable condition.

Police say that two male Latinos exited a dark-colored sports utility vehicle and approached the victim on foot before firing shots. A resident said that he heard up to four shots fired.

Police aren’t sure at this point if the attack is gang-related.

The suspects, described as being in their 20s, ran back to their vehicle and fled southbound on either Fourth or Fifth streets after the shooting, Lewis said.

The SMPD contacted the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division, notifying them to look out for a vehicle fitting the description. The LAPD also assigned a helicopter to search from the air.

The escape vehicle may have a bike or some kind of rack on the roof and has a bumper sticker affixed just above the license plate.